Blessings

On Wednesday we're traveling to Asia for MTW's Asia-Pacific Area Retreat. This is a retreat that happens every four years for each region in the world, and Asia-Pacific's is this year. Everyone serving in this area with MTW will be attending. Although we are sort of "traveled-out", we're pretty excited to be attending a retreat where we'll be spiritually nurtured and where we'll be able to fellowship with so many other co-laborers. We plan on taking our church-plant project to a new level, so we hope that being among so many experienced folks will cause us to come back inspired and re-energized. Please pray for us: a) travel mercies, b) sensitive to the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit. I'll leave you with what I had promised to some of you. We have added a new member to our family. I guess he's not so new to us, but new to you since this is his debut.

• Given name: Noble Mate Shalom
• Nickname: Buddy
• Birthday: April 15, 2004
• Adopted: February 5, 2007
• Gender: Male
• Height: 2ft.
• Weight: 70 lbs.
• Hair Color: chestnut-blonde
• Eye Color: hazel
• Occupations: Volunteer Therapy Assistant, Social Ice-Breaker, Cheerful Greeter, and Loyal Companion.
• Interests: Swimming, running, hiking, eating, sleeping, going for a car ride, playing catch, chase, and hide-and-go-seek.
• Expertise: Chasing cats, hunting and digging for lizards in the backyard, getting in people’s way, tearing teddy-bears apart, fetching balls or sticks, chewing on plastic toys.
• Dislikes: Vacuum cleaner, taking a bath, staying home alone, staying out of the loop, barking small dogs.
• Favorite foods: Meat, bones, stinky foods like dried anchovies & squid.
• Species: Dog
• Breed: Labrador Retriever

"I'm having a good day! How 'bout you?"

So handsome!

Strike a pose!

True Aussie

Man's Best Friend

Bush is in town!

Tonight President Bush came to Sydney for the APEC summit. What is APEC? APEC stands for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and it is an economic forum for a group of Pacific Rim countries to discuss matters on regional economy, cooperation, trade and investment. Together, these countries represent about 60% of the world economy (World Bank). The organization conducts the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, an annual summit attended by the heads of government of all APEC members. The location of the summit rotates annually among the member economies.

Since this year's meeting is being held in Sydney (from Sep. 3rd through Sep. 9th), Bush, along with 600 people in his entourage, flew into Sydney on this rainy and cold night. The entire Central Business District has been under lock-down. The police have built tall iron gates around the city center to prevent people from getting too close to the places where these world leaders will be meeting. No one is allowed in he city whether on foot, by car, or by public transportation. No one is being allowed to take photos, not even the media. Many Sydneysiders are worried about possible violence from protesters, however, most importantly they are dreading the chaos in traffic. Residents are encouraged to go away for the weekend. The city was given an additional public holiday on Friday, Sep 7, by the New South Wales state government to ease disruption caused by the world leaders' arrival in the city. What a great compromise for what some people have to endure!

The point is: If you were thinking about surprising us with a visit, this is not a good week. We won't be able to take you to the city, nor show you some of the most beautiful sites which include the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge to name a few.

Just for fun: A famous tradition during this summit involves the attending leaders dressing in a national costume of the host member. As I was reading the local newspaper today, I found this funny interactive cartoon. I love how the Aussies find humor in any and every situation. Click here to see what it is: http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/bush_dressup/index.html